Was researching rollerblades and came across these for half price. They're part of the Globe brands, so look like reasonable quality for going for a roll!
The 'sahara' colour linked above was the only discounted colour in the men's collection, and there's also a pink one on sale in the ladies line.
Website states free returns - though it looks like that may be built into the full priced items and exclude sale items like these.
Enjoy going from online to inline if you pick up some of these! :-P
I've heard Impalas aren't very good if you're looking for decent skates, but allegedly they're fine for beginners.
Never tried them, but a skate shop employee tells me that they're not for people with wide feet.
What's a decent skate brand?
Can confirm - fat feet are a bad fit with these (or any inline skates).
I'm not entirely sure why inline skates are all plastic and uncomfortable, while roller skates are made of leather/pleather which stretch and accomodate wider feet. I suspect it has something to with inline skates seeming more prone to ankle twisting, so they want a more rigid body for better support, but the reality is that it's no different.
If anyone can recommend inline skates that are either designed for really wide feet or are made of leather instead of plastic, please let us know.
I know very little about inline skates despite recently buying a pair, so take what I take with a small mountain of salt and do your own research if you're interested in skates.
But from what a lady at the shop said to me, there are generally two types of boots for inlines: hardboot and softboot.
- Hardboots are - as the name suggests - the skates that surround the foot in a hard plastic shell (usually Nylon I think), and these are more durable and apparently provide more support. They're also heavier and generally less comfortable than a softboot.
- Softboots mold a little better to your feet (unlike hardboots that probably won't change any appreciable amount) and are generally thought to be more comfortable and well-ventilated.
For brands for people with wide feet, the pair I bought from SFX seem to fit me pretty well. I also tried on some from Powerslide and PlayLife, both of which I found to be very narrow. If you really want to be sure about sizing though, I would recommend going into a local store and just trying them on there. Different brands can have slightly different sizing - and especially be aware if they're using US sizing (whether it's male or female, a little ridiculous in my opinion. They're shoes).
They are fine very similar to the original Rollerblade brand, if you want a step up K2 or Brauer are great but the impala are decent for most ordinary people wanting to skate.
Check out Bont Skates. They have carbon fibre skates that are heat mouldable. I heat moulded mine, and they are great. My feet are on the cusp of being classed as wide. These are expensive skates but of high quality. Not your typical "Roller Blade" design, they are inline skates, so it will depend on how you skate as to whether these are suitable.
edit:
Im associated with bont skates for website work, but can not select it in the association.
@Nukkels i am looking for a pair myself. Not planning to play roller hocky but Bauer skates are great. Lace up leather boot. If you buy them from a proper store they bake the boot which moulds to your feet. A decent pair wont come cheap though. This is the pair i am going to get.
https://skateplus.com.au/collections/inline-skates/products/…
those aren't leather, definitely not for that price, and roller hockey skates - even top of the line skates - just don't use leather.
Woooww so pretty like Birthday Cakes !!
Do they have these in men's?
You could change the laces for less colour on them…
Otherwise, they come in black for $220!
https://impalaskate.com.au/products/impala-lightspeed-inline…
Buy them and if you don’t like them give them to your boyfriend
My bf has never scated
Great share, thanks OP! Picked up a pair for the missus. Use Impala10 for a further 10% off.